Vespers - Evening Reflections for Scouts

“Vesperas” is a Latin word that means “evening” and is a root of the English word “west” where the sun sets.

Gathering for a moment of reflection or a religious service in the evening has a long history in practice and symbolism; The Jewish Sabbath begins at sundown on Friday.

Christians of many denominations observe evening vespers services.

Muslims pray five times a day, the forth being the sunset prayer Hindus practice Puja or prayer facing west in the evening. The medicine wheel of the Native Americans recognizes the west as the direction of change and reflection. The evening is often the best time for Scouts to assemble while camping and reflect on that part of the Scout Oath that pledges Duty to God and that part of the Scout Law that encourages us towards reverence.

Where to assemble Depending on the time, season and setting Scouts can gather around a campfire, on a hillside as the sun sets, in a grove of trees or in the warmth of a cabin.

Sitting or standing in a circle puts no one in the background and encourages everyone to participate.

Three ingredients to successful Vespers Solemnity- Maintaining a respectful, reverent atmosphere is important.

Brevity – To be effective reflections should be focused and relevant.

Fifteen or twenty minutes of concentration is within the grasp of most Scouts.

Predictability – The welcome familiarity of a formal opening, predictable progression and closing encourages Scouts to participate.

Suggested Vespers Outline Patrol Logs Before assembling the troop patrols get together to record their thoughts for the day in their Patrol Log.

Discussing and reflecting on what they learned, observed and did prepares patrol members for Vespers as well as benefit from keeping a log of their activities.

Opening Once the Troop assembles the Vespers Leader opens the session. A simple statement of what is about to happen serves as an effective opening; “ Whenever we are camping we set aside some time to remind us of that part of the Scout Oath in which we pledge to do our Duty to God and help other people at all times and that part of the Scout law that encourages us to be reverent. For the next few minutes we will all have the opportunity to reflect and share on why we are Scouts and what it means to us.”

Leader’s Reflection The leader shares a brief reflection on something they have observed, discovered or thought that day to focus the group – for example: “Today on our hike I watched as you all followed the trail blazes along the way.

These blazes help us follow the trail, alert us to changes ahead like turns and crossings.

I couldn’t help but think, while they may not be painted on trees, there are trail blazes we follow as we live our lives. The Scout Law is like a set of blazes that guide us, as are your families, your friends and your beliefs. Can any of you tell me a trail blaze that you follow?” As in the example above the reflection should end with an encouragement to participate.

Individual Reflections Scouts are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas. The job of the leader is to focus these reflections and guide any discussion that arises. It may take some effort to get Scouts to speak up, if there are no volunteers the leader may call on a Scout that has been prompted in advance.

Usually once one or two Scouts participate others will follow. Tips for leading the Refectio n Focusing the exchange of ideas may be challenging: “That’s a worthy subject for discussion, but just now we are talking about X. Do you have thoughts on that?” It is important that all thought be respected so long as they are sincere.

Jokers (every Troop has at least one!) can be encouraged to participate sincerely with kindness: “Do you really feel that way or are you just kidding us?

I appreciate your cheerfulness but I am more interested in what you really think.”

Closing Once several Scouts have shared their thoughts the Leader should ask if anyone else has a thought to share. They should also inquire if there was anything recorded in Patrol Logs that should be shared with the Troop. If there is still much to say the Leader may extend the reflections, or may defer it to a later time: “We have a lot to do this evening, lets close our Vespers first and we can continue to discuss this as we work on other things.” The closing can be the Scoutmaster’s benediction, a prayer or a moment of silence. “Let’s close with a moment of silence in which we remember why we are Scouts and take the time to concentrate on what we have shared today and on what we have heard this evening” Reverence The following statements of policy from the BSA serve to guide us in the conduct of religious observances in Scouting: The activities of the members of the Boy Scouts of America shall be carried on under conditions which show respect to the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion, as required by the twelfth point of the Scout Law, reading Reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others. In no case where a unit is connected with a church or other distinctively religious organization shall members of other denominations or faith be required, because of their membership in the unit, to take part in or observe a religious ceremony distinctly unique to that organization or church. The Boy Scouts of America recognizes the religious element in the training of the member, but it is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. Its policy is that the home and the organization or group with which the member is connected shall give definite attention to religious life.

Scouting has vast potential to foster understanding in a world that is sharply divided over matters of religion. It is incumbent on Scout leaders to conduct religious observances that are nonsectarian and inclusive.

Reflections Ideas for Vespers Leaders One Fire, Many Logs As we stand around our fire I am reminded of the importance of teamwork. If we take one log away from the fire what will happen? It may burn a while on its own, but it will go out before too long. How is our Scout troop or your patrol like a campfire?

Strength in Cooperation I can break this stick with my bare hands, but I can’t break a bundle of ten sticks.

Would anyone like to try? The only way we can break this bundle is to snap each individual stick one at a time. When the sticks cooperate with each other they are all strengthened, how is this true of our troop, or your family?

Promises to Keep We are in the business of fulfilling the Promises of Scouting.

These promises are adventure in the great outdoors, friendship, opportunities to work toward the Eagle Scout rank, the tools to make the most of family, community, and nation, experiences and duties for growth. How can we rise to this challenge ?

Respect Reverence means respect, and respect is an important part of Scouting. We have respect for leadership, for nature and, perhaps most importantly, for each other. As scouts we respect that people are individuals with their own physical, mental and spiritual abilities and limitations.

Everyone wants to be respected as a person, to be accepted by the group. It takes maturity to resist the temptation to gain acceptance or popularity through ridiculing and ostracizing others. How can we be brave and reverent in our attitudes and actions in relating to everyone in and out of Scouting?